Cartridge for drink dispensing machine

ABSTRACT

A cartridge is disclosed for containing and dispensing a fluid. The cartridge includes an outer housing enclosing an inner volume, an output spout, a plunger, and a first rib. The plunger is positioned within the internal volume and engages with the internal diameter of the outer housing. The first rib is positioned along at least a portion of the outer housing, and includes at least one identifier. The identifier includes the presence or absence of a recess at a plurality of locations along the first rib. Movement of the plunger within the internal volume forces a fluid from the internal volume out through the output spout.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/837,489, filed Apr. 23, 2019, titled CARTRIDGE FOR DRINKDISPENSING MACHINE, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for a drink dispensingmachine, and more particularly to a cartridge with a structuralidentifier that is recognizable by a drink dispensing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beverage making machines, dating back to the earliest coffee makers,generally allow users to add raw materials (e.g., coffee grounds) to themachine prior to brewing or mixing the beverage. More modern beveragemaking machines utilize pre-measured and pre-packaged containers forconsistency and ease of use. For example, coffee makers often utilizepre-portioned coffee grounds in pre-packaged cups that are inserteddirectly into the coffee maker. The coffee maker then punctures the cup,pumps hot water through the cup, and allows the resulting coffee to dripinto a user's mug. Other beverages makers, like soda fountains, utilizeprepackaged syrups that are mixed with carbonated water upon request.

However, the contents of the pre-packaged containers are typicallyirrelevant to such machines. Coffee makers and soda fountains generallyperform the same actions, regardless of the contents of the containers.For example, coffee makers will still puncture the container and pumphot water through it, regardless of the type of coffee grounds inside.Soda fountains similarly will merely add the syrup to carbonated water,regardless of the type or flavor of syrup. Such machines therefore haveno ability or need to identify the contents of the container being used.

For this reason, few existing beverage makers are capable of makingvaried and specific beverages on demand. Various beverages requiredifferent ingredients, which most beverage makers are not capable ofutilizing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an example embodiment, a cartridge is disclosed for containing anddispensing a fluid. The cartridge includes an outer housing, a housingtip engaged with a first end of the outer housing, and a cap engagedwith a second end of the outer housing. The housing tip includes anoutput spout. The outer housing, the housing tip, and the capcollectively enclose an internal volume. A threaded screw is provided,extending from the cap within the internal volume. A plunger is engagedwith the threaded screw within the internal volume, and engages with aninternal diameter of at least one of the outer housing and housing tip.A first rib is positioned along at least a portion of at least one ofthe outer housing and housing tip, and includes at least one identifier.The identifier includes the presence or absence of a recess at aplurality of locations along the first rib. Rotation of at least aportion of the cap causes rotation of the threaded screw, which in turncauses the plunger to move within the internal volume to force a fluidfrom the internal volume out through the output spout.

In an example embodiment, a cartridge is disclosed for containing anddispensing a fluid. The cartridge includes an outer housing enclosing aninner volume, an output spout, a plunger, and a first rib. The plungeris positioned within the internal volume and engages with the internaldiameter of the outer housing. The first rib is positioned along atleast a portion of the outer housing, and includes at least oneidentifier. The identifier includes the presence or absence of a recessat a plurality of locations along the first rib. Movement of the plungerwithin the internal volume forces a fluid from the internal volume outthrough the output spout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cartridge for a beverage maker inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 1, with part ofits outer housing removed to illustrate the internal components thereof,in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate example encoding patterns for ribs of acartridge, such as that shown in FIG. 1, according to exampleembodiments.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example beverage maker in which thecartridge of FIG. 1 may be used, in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the example beverage maker of FIG. 4with its front panel opened, in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example cartridge receiver of thebeverage maker of FIG. 4, shown with cartridges installed therein, inaccordance with an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers whereinlike members refer to like parts, FIG. 1 illustrates a cartridge 1 foruse in a beverage maker (not illustrated). Such a beverage maker wouldpreferably be capable of mixing numerous different beverages utilizingthe contents of one or more cartridges 1, as desired by the user. Such abeverage maker would therefore be able to determine the contents of eachcartridge 1 inserted therein based on some identifying characteristic ofthe cartridge 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge 1 includes an outerhousing 5, a housing tip 10, and a cap 15. The housing tip 10 includesan output spout 20 at a distal end 25 of the housing tip 10. A proximalend 30 of the housing tip 10 abuts and engages with the distal end 35 ofthe outer housing 5. Together, housing tip 10 and outer housing 5generally enclose an inner volume for storing a fluid. It is noted thatFIG. 1 illustrates the proximal end 30 of the housing tip 10 and thedistal end 35 of the outer housing 5 as being similarly angled such thatthey abut and engage one. However, it will be understood that othershapes may be utilized, so long as suitable engagement occurs. Further,more or fewer pieces than the outer housing 5 and housing tip 10 may beused to enclose the inner volume.

One or more ribs 40 may extend along at least part of the outer housing5 between a proximal end 45 thereof and the distal end 35. It will beunderstood that such one or more ribs 40 may extend entirely or partlyalong the outer housing 5, or may extend onto the housing tip 10 or thelike. The function and structure of the ribs 40 will be discussed ingreater detail below.

At the proximal end 45 of the outer housing 5, the cap 15 completes theenclosure of the inner volume otherwise contained by the outer housing 5and the housing tip 10. The cap 15 may engage with the outer housing 5by any known structure, such as via a threaded screw structure, a snapstructure, or the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates the cartridge 1 of FIG. 1 with the outer housing 5removed to expose additional structure. As can be seen, a threaded rodor screw 50 extending from the cap 15 toward the output spout 20 of thehousing tip 10 within the inner volume. A plunger 55 is positioned inthreading engagement with the screw 50, along with a nut 60. Plunger 55preferable engages with the inner diameter of the outer housing 5 and/orthe housing tip 10, as appropriate. Rotation of at least a portion ofthe cap 15 causes the screw 50 to rotate as well. Rotation of the screw50 in turn causes the plunger 55 to move axially along the screw 50,either toward or away from the output spout 20. In doing so, fluidcontents positioned within the inner volume between the plunger 55 andthe output spout 20 are forced out through the output spout 20.

As is further shown in FIG. 2, the cap 15 may include at least oneradially extending ridge 65. The cap 15 may also include a knob endportion 70. When the cartridge 1 is installed in a beverage machine (notshown), the beverage machine dispense fluid from the cartridge 1 byrotating at least a portion of the cap 15. The beverage machine maycause rotation of the cap 15 by engaging the at least one radiallyextending ridge 65 with a corresponding gear or other structure (notshown), as would be understood in the art. Rotation of the gear wouldthereby causes rotation of the cap 15.

In a preferred embodiment, the screw 50 includes threads with a lowangle of inclination such that a single rotation of the cap 15 resultsin a low volume of fluid output from the output spout 20. For example,one rotation of the cap 15 may result in the output of approximately0.05-ml of fluid from the output spout 20. This structure allows forprecise control over the volume of fluid output from the cartridge 1.

As noted above, a beverage maker that is capable of making variousdrinks using the contents of one or more interchangeable cartridges 1would be capable of determining the contents of each cartridge 1 engagedtherewith. The one or more ribs 40 of cartridge 1 are utilized for thispurpose. Each rib 40 includes one or more recesses 75, which can bedetected by the beverage maker. FIGS. 3A through 3F illustrate exampleribs 40. As shown, each rib 40 may include a spot for up to eightrecesses 75. The presence or absence of a recess 75 may equate to a “0”or “1” in binary. With eight spaces as shown, two hundred and fifty sixdifferent sequences are possible. Each sequence may correspond to onetype of fluid that could be contained within the cartridge 1. Uponinsertion into the beverage maker, the beverage maker may detect thepresence or absence of these recesses 75. It may then cross-referencethe detected sequence of recesses 75 (or the absences thereof) with asimple database in its onboard memory to determine the contents of thecartridge 1.

As will be understood, more or fewer spots for recesses 75 may beutilize along each rib 40. Further, rather than detecting the presenceor absence of a recess 75 (i.e., binary), the beverage maker may detectthe size and shape of one or more recesses 75 to determine the contentsof the associated cartridge 1. Various methods of detecting thepresence, absence, size and/or shape of the recesses may be used, suchas optical methods, physical methods, or the like as would beunderstood.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example beverage maker 400 that may be used withone or more cartridges 1 (discussed above). The beverage maker 400includes an outer housing 405, an interface screen 410, and a beveragecontainer receiving portion 415. FIG. 5 illustrates the beverage maker400 with its front panel 505 opened upwardly about a hinge 510. On therear of the front panel 505, an enclosure 515 for the interface screen410 and its associated electronics can be seen. Further visible is acartridge receiver 520 that receives cartridges 1. Only knob endportions 70 of the illustrated cartridges 1 are visible, with theremainder of each cartridge 1 having been received by a slot in thecartridge receiver 50. FIG. 5 illustrates several sizes of cartridges 1,such as larger cartridges 1A and smaller cartridges 1B. As will beunderstood, certain flavoring agents, such as sweetener or vanilla, areused much more often in various recipes, or in larger amounts in a givenrecipe. Thus, larger cartridges 1A may contain more commonly usedflavoring agents, while smaller cartridges 1B may include respectiveflavoring agents that are used less frequently. The flavoring agents aredispensed for mixing with a base beverage, according to a recipe. Thebase beverage may be separately contained in a reservoir or the like, aswould be understood. The base beverage may be a generally flavorlessliquid such as vodka or the like, although it will be understood thatflavorless liquids are not required. Further, more or fewer cartridges1, whether large cartridges 1A or small cartridges 1B, may be receivableby the cartridge receiver 520 in various positions and orientations.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the example beverage maker 400,in which the cartridge receiver 520 has been isolated. As can be seen,when installed in a slot of the cartridge receiver 520, each cartridge 1is positioned adjacent a circuit board 605. FIG. 6 illustrates a singlecircuit board 605 adjacent four small cartridges 1B on each side of thecartridge receiver 520, and a separate circuit board 605 adjacent eachlarger cartridge 1A. However, more or fewer circuit boards 605 could beused. Circuit boards 605 contain circuitry and/or otherhardware/software to identify the recesses 75 (or the lack thereof) onthe ribs 40 of each cartridge 1. As noted above, such identification mayoccur via any known method, including optical methods, physical methods,or the like as would be understood. Further, such circuitry, hardware,or software may reside elsewhere within the beverage maker 400.

Upon insertion of a cartridge 1 into the cartridge receiver 520, thebeverage maker 400 may read the encoded identifier of the contents ofthe cartridge from the ribs 40. The beverage maker 400 may then crossreference the identifier with a database stored in its memory, as wouldbe understood in the art, to determine the contents of the cartridge 1.Based on the collection of cartridges 1 in the cartridge receiver 520,the beverage maker 400 may provide options to the user via the interfacescreen 410 for beverages that can be created with the current list ofingredients. Such a drink list and associated recipes may similarly bestored in the memory of the beverage maker 400. A user may then selectone such beverage from the interface screen 410.

The beverage maker 400 then causes dispensing of appropriate volumes ofappropriate ingredients based on the recipe for the selected beverage.To do so, it determines which cartridge(s) 1 contain the neededingredients, and causes actuation of at least a portion of the cap 15 ofthe appropriate cartridge(s) 1. In an example embodiment, the cartridgereceiver may include one or more motors capable of causing rotation ofthe cap 15 by engaging the at least one radially extending ridge 65, aswould be understood in the art. As a non-limiting example, a gear or thelike that engages with the ridge(s) 65 of a cartridge may be rotated bya motor, which thereby causes rotation of the cap 15. Rotation of thecap 15 causes rotation of the screw 50, thereby forcing the plunger 55to push a predetermined amount of fluid from the selected cartridge 1.

Various ingredients may be dispensed simultaneously, or may be dispensedone at a time. Once all ingredients for the selected recipe have beendispensed from their cartridges 1, the ingredients may be mixedtogether. This may occur within the beverage maker 400, or may occur byallowing all of the ingredients to flow into and thereby mix in a glassor other beverage container.

Once a cartridge 1 is empty, or if a user decides that other ingredientsare desirable, cartridges 1 may be removed from the cartridge receiver520 and replaced with different cartridges having any desiredingredient.

Thus, there has been shown and described a cartridge with its contentsencoded in its physical structure. As is evident from the foregoingdescription, certain aspects of the present inventions are not limitedby the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it istherefore contemplated that other modifications, applications,variations, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in theart. Many such changes, modifications, variations and other uses andapplications of the present constructions will, however, become apparentto those skilled in the art after considering the specification and theaccompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations andother uses in applications which do not depart from the spirit and scopeof the present inventions are deemed to be covered by the inventionswhich are limited only by the claims which follow.

1. A cartridge for containing and dispensing a fluid, the cartridgecomprising: an outer housing; a housing tip engaged with a first end ofthe outer housing, said housing tip including an output spout; a capengaged with a second end of the outer housing, wherein said outerhousing, said housing tip, and said cap collectively enclose an internalvolume; a threaded screw extending from the cap within the internalvolume; a plunger engaged with the threaded screw within the internalvolume, the plunger engaging with an internal diameter of at least oneof the outer housing and housing tip; a first rib positioned along atleast a portion of at least one of the outer housing and housing tip,the first rib including at least one identifier, wherein the identifierincludes the presence or absence of a recess at a plurality of locationsalong the first rib; and wherein rotation of at least a portion of thecap causes rotation of the threaded screw, which in turn causes theplunger to move within the internal volume to force a fluid from theinternal volume out through the output spout.
 2. The cartridge of claim1 wherein the housing tip and outer housing are integrally formed. 3.The cartridge of claim 1 further including a nut engaged with thethreaded screw and positioned on a side of the plunger opposite thehousing tip.
 4. The cartridge of claim 1 further including a second ribincluding an identifier.
 5. The cartridge of claim 4 wherein theidentifier on the second rib is the same as the identifier on the firstrib.
 6. The cartridge of claim 4 wherein the identifier on the secondrib is different from the identifier on the first rib.
 7. The cartridgeof claim 1 wherein the cap includes at least one or more radiallyextending ridges.
 8. A cartridge for containing and dispensing a fluid,the cartridge comprising: an outer housing enclosing an inner volume; anoutput spout; a plunger positioned within the internal volume, theplunger engaging with an internal diameter of the outer housing; a firstrib positioned along at least a portion of the outer housing, the firstrib including at least one identifier, wherein the identifier includesthe presence or absence of a recess at a plurality of locations alongthe first rib; and wherein movement of the plunger within the internalvolume forces a fluid from the internal volume out through the outputspout.